On 28 April 2026, the Seconded European Standardization Expert in China (SESEC) convened a thematic webinar on the Recent Development of China Standardization, drawing more than 200 registered participants from industry, government bodies, research institutes, and academia. Dr. Betty Xu, Director of SESEC, delivered a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the country’s standardization system and the often-overlooked new round of reform that began in 2025.
Dr. Betty Xu provided a detailed review of China’s 2021 National Standardization Development Outline, assessing its implementation after four years. She highlighted that standards are no longer merely technical tools but have become instruments of political and economic leverage for China, reflecting the country’s ambition to transition from a standards adopter to a standards leader on the international stage.
Dr. Betty Xu then examined the ongoing internal restructuring led by SAC, which aims to streamline the multi-tier standards framework, eliminate redundant local and association standards, and reduce fragmentation. Key measures include a drastic 40 % cut in local standards, the elimination of nearly 2,000 “zombie standards” with no real-world adoption, and the cancellation of multiple legacy schemes. SESEC interprets this as a primarily pragmatic, internal power rebalancing between SAC and line ministries—a shift from volume-driven targets toward fewer, more impactful standards developed with limited resources.
The reform points to a leaner, more efficient system. While short-term ambition may be tempered by economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, strengthening China’s influence in international standardization remains a persistent long-term priority.
The session sparked a lively Q&A, with particular interest in whether mandatory GB standards would receive a new regulatory status and, crucially, how China might reposition itself in international standard-setting once the internal overhaul advances.
The webinar slides are now available for download on the SESEC website. Download them from here.
If you would like to request for the recordings, please send an email to assistant@sesec.eu
